FRSC chief advocates safe driving

The Lagos State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr. Chidi Nkwonta, has appealed to motorists to use the roads more responsibly this year.

He said Nigerians as critical stakeholders in the Corps’ task of reducing accidents and deaths on the roads, must realise that they have a role to play in making the roads safe.

Speaking with The Nation in his office last Monday, Nkwonta said the corps achieved a 25 per cent reduction in crash and fatality figure last year, compared to 2012, adding that only 22 crashes and 16 deaths were recorded between December 15 and January 1, 2014.

He said the highest figure of nine deaths was recorded in an accident along Lekki-Epe Expressway, on December 22, and only five deaths were recorded along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway all through the yuletide period and two others occurred within the state.

Describing last year’s ‘Zero Tolerance Against Accidents’ campaign as successful in the state, Nkwonta said this was made possible due to the road safety campaigns which began in September, and the early deployment of men and logistics along all the major roads entering the state by December 15.

He said: “Last year witnessed a massive deployment of men and logistics. We established four help desks along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and two help desks each along the Lekki-Epe and Mile 12-Badagry Expressway. Besides moving all our men out, we also deployed all the 2,500 FRSC Special Marshals, and we also forged synergy with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) which deployed their high end mobile clinic and other smaller ambulances on all entry and exit roads in the state, while LASTMA ensured the management of traffic within the state.

“Besides the men, we deployed 450 vehicles and two tow trucks in the roads to arrest any distress. We deployed men even on foot in embarking on traffic calming efforts daily and these men were usually on the road before traffic built up, calming traffic and ensuring that there is free flow in and out of the state.”

He, however, lamented that much of the successes were achieved without the cooperation of Lagos drivers, who he described as “lawless, undisciplined, unruly and intolerant, most of who often drive with impunity.”

He said these attitudes cut across all categories of drivers whether commercial, corporate or private car owners, as everyone usually drive without regard to the traffic regulations.

Nkwonta added that the greatest threats on the roads are coming from those he called “men in uniform,” and “political office holders,” who uses police escorts and drive against traffic and uses mobile phone devices on the road with impunity.

“These men,” according to him, “usually intimidate us on the road, knowing that we are unarmed, and would resist arrest. They could even attack our men with guns, horse whips and any other object.”

The commander said the city will be a much better place, if public transportation is well organised.

“If all road users abides with the traffic regulations, all of us would be able to move without the aggression and frustration that traffic snarl brings. Let anyone using the road have consideration for other road users. They should realise that the road have to be shared.

“They should also realise that the law enforcement officers are not a distraction on the roads, but that they are there in their interest and should be humble enough to obey them as they dutifully manage the traffic, because the truth is if road safety doesn’t catch you, accident could and when this happens, it may be too late for you to make any amends. Prof. Wole Soyinka always says the road is patient, but never forgive. So, drivers should stop abusing the road. Let everyone resolve this new year to use the road properly and let us exercise patience with one another on the roads,” Nkwonta stated.